Thebeloved specialty groceroffers a variety of hot sauces like you’ve never seen before.
Buckle up, things are about to get heated.
Here’s how these seven hot sauces ranked in descending order from my least favorite to the overall best.
Photos: Trader Joe’s. Design: Eat This, Not That!
The sauce sells for $3.99.
And, I would reach for it over other sriracha renditions any day of the week.
I reluctantly grabbed my own jar to take home for $3.49.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
The look:Like a 3D version of red pepper flakes.
Everything emits a raging red-hot shade and seeds are abundantnever a good sign for those wary of spice.
The taste:This is one bomba that explodes straight away.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
There were no early warning signs, just one taste, and momma mia my mouth was suddenly ablaze.
It’s a full-flavored and zippy relish.
Therefore, I set my sights on a more convertible condiment.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
(Hint: you should because it’s true.)
Packed with so many peppers, the $3.49 bottle was also bound to pack a punch.
The look:Radiating a muted shade of pale greenmuch lighter than the color of fresh jalapenos.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
The initial mouthfeel and taste are reminiscent of the fruit’s buttery texture and modest flavor.
The South African-inspired sauce amasses heat from both fermented chilis and dried chili flakes.
These dual burners are then mixed with lemon juice, sunflower oil, garlic, and salt.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
The beloved bottle rang up at $3.49.
There is some definite heat to it, but less than I was anticipating.
I would actually rank it below the Italian Bomba on the spice scale.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
A pepper flavor eventually also hit my taste buds, balancing out the citrus notes.
I have heard that it is better suited as a marinade than an after-cooking sauce, though.
So, maybe I will try that next.
Photo: Megan Hageman, Eat This, Not That!
I wound up paying $3.99 for the spicy newcomer.
The look:Not terribly thick but definitely viscous with hunks of minced garlic spread throughout.
Its color is a dark reddish browneven darker than the sriracha.
The taste:A bit of a complex sauce to say the least.
What I don’t perceive directly is the green pepper taste of the jalapenos.
Instead, they are felt in the subtle spice that permeates the entire bottle.
Altogether, I think it works well.
I’m starting to think the answer is no.
The plastic squeeze bottle can be found at a price of $3.79.
The look:A medium consistencysomewhere in between chunky and thin.
It presumably gets its forest or olive-green coloring from both the tomatillo puree and the jalapenos.
Cilantro flakes additionally give it a speckled look.
But, for everyone else, you’re in for a flavorful and spice-filled treat.
Everything ends off with a pang of lime juice acidity.
The murky yellow-brown liquid is very watery and thin, not to mention crowded with various colored floating particles.
The taste:One of the most unique hot saucesor just sauces in generalthat I have ever tasted.
Obviously backed by citrusy, it’s tart and sweet, almost like a refreshing vinaigrette.
On the other hand, you have pronounced flavors of both vinegar and peppers to balance it out.
